Salt River First Nation elects new chief

David Poitras was elected chief of the Salt River First Nation near Fort Smith, N.W.T., Tuesday.

He received 119 votes, beating out Connie Benwell, who got 92 votes, and Henry Beaver Sr., who took 75 votes.

"I'm not planning on making any big sweeping changes," said Poitras.

"I'm very fortunate to have a council that's been there for quite some time now so I don't have to start from scratch. They know what's been happening and some projects that need to be finished so I'll become part of that."

The byelection was called after former chief Frieda Martselos stepped down this summer.

Martselos defeated Poitras in the November 2008 chief election by a vote count of 175-147, a margin of only 28 votes. He appealed the result, and accused Martselos of using smear tactics during the campaign. An outside arbitrator overturned the results of that election and a new writ was issued. In June 2009, Martselos was again elected chief with 180 votes versus 157 for Poitras.

Poitras said he plans to make education a priority and to help youth realize their potential as leaders.

He will serve as chief until September 2012. He hasn't decided whether he'll run again in the fall.